Summer Season brings Reminder about Freedom Camping

We’re coming to the season of tents and camper vans, and New Plymouth District Council is providing some reminders to help people get the most out of their stay in the district.

“Campervans may be parked in any reserve’s parking area for up to two nights per calendar month, but only if they have self-contained water, grey water and wastewater storage,” says Manager Parks Mark Bruhn.

“All other campervans and campers should go to one of the six camping grounds we provide along the district’s coast, or to one of the private camping grounds in the district.

“Outside of these areas, camping is not permitted.”

The six council-provided camping grounds are at Urenui, Onaero, Waitara, Fitzroy, New Plymouth’s Belt Rd and Oakura.

Also, an area at Fort St George, at the end of Lower Pitone Rd south of Oakura, that was previously used for freedom camping is now part of the council’s network of reserves and no camping is permitted there.

“All of our reserves, including those at Corbett Park and at the end of Weld and Ahu Ahu roads, are to be kept clear for day visitors, and we’ll be patrolling these sites during summer to make sure no one is camping there,” says Mr Bruhn.

Prohibiting freedom camping prevents potential health and safety issues in the district’s reserves, such as the need for adequate toilet and rubbish facilities and a clean water supply, and safety from unruly activity.

Mr Bruhn says if any issues arise from a campervan’s parking location, the occupiers may be required by a council officer to relocate. Also, all campervan wastes should be disposed of at an approved dump point: At BP Powderham or Mobil Eliot St in New Plymouth, or the Belt Rd Motor Camp (which is free for campers, with a $3 charge for others).

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